Reflection Activity: Identity

Identity can be defined as the “the collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which a thing or person is definitively recognized or known,” or as “the set of behavioral or personal characteristics by which an individual is recognizable as a member of a group.”

Reflect for a moment on the following:

Would you identify yourself as white or European American? Would others identify you as white or European American?

Would you identify yourself as black or African American? Would others identify you as black or African American?

Would you identify yourself as Native American? Would others identify you as Native American?

Would you identify yourself as Asian American? Would others identify you as Asian American?

Would you identify yourself as Hispanic or Latino/a? Would others identify you as Hispanic or Latino/a?

Would you identify yourself as Middle Eastern? Would others identify you as Middle Eastern?

Would you identify yourself as multiracial or multiethnic? Would others identify you as multiracial or multiethnic?

Would you identify yourself by national origin, i.e. Italian, Jamaican, Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Saudi Arabian? Would others identify you by national origin?

Would you identify yourself by tribal affiliation, i.e. Ute or Lakota? Would others identify you by tribal affiliation?

Would you identify yourself as “a person of color”? Would others identify you as “a person of color”?

Would you identify yourself solely as “American”? Would others identify you solely as “American”?

Would you identify your race or ethnicity some other way entirely? Would others see you that way, too?

Next, write a short biography about your racial identit(ies), answering the following questions:

When and how did you become aware of your racial identit(ies)?

Describe a moment when your racial identit(ies) were important to, or took on particular meaning for, you.

Describe a moment when your racial identit(ies) were important to, or took on particular meaning for, others.

How do you benefit from your racial identit(ies)?

How do you suffer or “miss out” because of your racial identit(ies)?

Are some of these questions easier or more difficult to answer than others? Why might this be?